March 21, 2024

Dear Baker Families,

Here at Baker there is rarely a moment where there aren’t many incredible things happening simultaneously. The challenge is to keep pace, but also to highlight all that occurs, as each day warrants an entire bulletin of recaps, gratitude and shout-outs. Last week, for example, the 7th graders had an incredible 3-day trip to Lorado Taft where they were immersed in nature and wonderful outdoor educational activities. This trip built on the skills that the 7th graders had learned in their previous outdoor ed trips to the Indiana Dunes in 6th grade, and to Lorado Taft in 4th grade. They were led by a super crew of teachers that included Becky Crawford, Megan Baxa, Ed Alvarado, Michelle Rogers & Sam O'Connor Divelbiss. In a month or so the 8th graders will be headed out to Angelic Organics in Caledonia, for their annual trip. Each of these unique experiences puts the students in new environments, and new challenges. They bond as a cohort and with their teachers. In addition to learning new outdoor skills, they also further their skills of how to live in community with others. Outdoor ed, community, project-based learning are all tenets of Progressive Education at Baker that shine during these trips.

I also want to spend a few words on the incredibly successful Benefit. We raised $90,844 which was over $20,000 more than we raised the previous year. If you consider our expenses too, it was even more successful. We netted 61% more than last year. We provide over $1,000,000 in Tuition Assistance to more than 40% of our students. This monumental chunk of our budget allows us to make Baker accessible to many more families than most independent schools. Without an event like the Benefit, that 40% shrinks and some families wouldn’t be able to attend Baker anymore. I say all this because we depend on our parent community to help us carry the weight of the school. 

This event was successful because a group of passionate, talented parents came together and volunteered their time, expertise, connections and efforts because they believe in Baker’s mission and they believe in our Tuition Assistance program. This group started planning for this event almost a year ago, and met numerous times throughout the year, made countless phone calls and sent a bajillion emails to make it a success. They represented almost every grade level in the school and helped with every aspect of the event including: auction items, venue choice, menu, signature drinks, layout, run of show script, emceeing, decor, and many, many logistics.  

Finally, in addition to raising a ton of money for Baker, this group of parents made the event SO MUCH FUN. The time flew by, and the biggest takeaway we've had is that next year it needs to be longer! We had people from every part of our community represented including an awesome turnout of faculty & staff, which shows the dedication that they have for this school. Please share gratitude to this great group of parents whenever you see them next:

• Nina Charnotskaia
• Stacie Erck
• Sara Shaaban
• Kathi Samuels
• Nicole Berger
• Marura Lenjo
• Emily Knapp
• Mark Bedard
• Gregory Linington
• Shana Cooper
• Allison Powers

Pfew, that is a lot of looking back at what has happened, and yet we have so much to look forward to happening when we return from Spring Break. Baker Alumni Day, Day of Silence, BASH (Baker Arts Showcase), Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Middle School Arts Core Share, more Storytellers, 5k, sneaker week, 8th grade trip, and Graduation!

Have a wonderful & restful Spring Break!

Mason Rocca

Interim Head of School

"The Baker Learner" - Video Debut

We debuted a new video at the Baker Benefit showcasing our Baker Learners! Please enjoy this recording that shares the characteristics of The Baker Learner.

Calendar Highlights

March 21

Dine & Donate at Clucker's - See details below

March 22

Baker Talent Show 8:30 a.m. - See details below

March 25 - 29

Spring Break—No School / No BASE

April 3

BPO Meeting 2:00 p.m. - See details below

April 5

Alumni Event 4:00 p.m. - See details below

April 7

Dine & Donate at Fat Shallot - See details below

April 14

Human Library 1:30 p.m. - See details below

Now Available: The 2024-2025 major dates calendar is here.

Baker's public calendar at bakerdemschool.org/calendar

Update to the Baker COVID Policy

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently announced that it has adopted the updated COVID-19 guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

COVID-19 remains an important public health threat. However, the CDC no longer considers it to be the public health emergency that it once was. The CDC considers its health impacts to be more like those of other respiratory viral illnesses. These include influenza and RSV. The key recommendation for those with any seasonal respiratory illnesses is to stay home and away from others until their symptoms improve.

Click here to read the letter from Nurse Riggs.

Questions? Contact Anne Riggs at ariggs@bakerdemschool.org.

Middle School PE/Wellness Maternity Leave Update

Rachael Ross, our Middle School Wellness & PE teacher will be going on maternity leave soon, and we are thrilled to announce that Sara Angres, a former Baker teacher, parent and current substitute teacher, will be taking over all her classes. Sara is working closely with Rachael to ensure a smooth transition, and has begun overlapping with Rachael this week. Rachael will start her maternity leave sometime between Monday, April 1st or Monday, April 8th, at which point, Sara will take over.

Here is a note that Rachael wanted to share with all of you:

Thank you for the kind wishes over the past few months. My family eagerly anticipates the arrival of our new baby in early April. My final (anticipated) day is April 5th and I will be on leave through the end of this school year but I look forward to hearing about the end of the year festivities. Serving as your child's Wellness teacher this school year has been a privilege and delight. May your summer be filled with adventures, activity, and love. ~Rachael Ross

BASE Spring Enrichments

Registration for BASE Spring Packages and Enrichments is now open! Please take a moment to review options in the 2024 Spring Program Guide before completing your registration. 

Enrichment classes are first come, first serve and spots are limited! 

BASE Registration Page

BASE care AND Enrichments will begin on Monday, April 1st. 

Questions? Please contact Erin at esteiner@bakerdemschool.org or at ext. 5823.

TODAY! Dine & Donate at Clucker's

Grab Dinner & Support Baker

Thursday, March 21, 2024

15% of sales go to supporting Baker.

Say "BAKER" at checkout. Order online at cluckerscharcoalchicken.com and place "BAKER" next to your name.

Valid at Clucker's

1515 Sheridan Road in Plaza Del Lago

11AM - 8PM

Baker Talent Show

Who's Got Talent?!? The Middle School Student Leadership Team is excited to be once again hosting the Baker Talent Show on Friday, March 22nd. 

Families are invited to attend.

2024 Baker Talent Show 

Friday, March 22nd

8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Questions contact Mark McLennan at mmclennan@bakerdemschool.org.

Donation Nation Club Bracelet Sale

Donation Nation Club Bracelet Sale

March 21 and March 22

3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Baker - near the front office

Our Middle School "Swifties" have been hard at work crafting Baker-themed bracelets for you to wear on your Spring Break! All proceeds will be donated to Felines & Canines.

Questions contact Rebecca DeSalvo at rdesalvo@bakerdemschool.org.

BPO Community Service Spotlight - The Night Ministry

With an open heart, they compassionately accept each individual as they are and work alongside them to advocate for their immediate physical, emotional, and social needs while affirming our shared humanity.

How can we help?

Visit The Night Ministry’s website and click on the Get Involved link. Here you can find many opportunities to help. You can volunteer your time and/or give a donation.

How can Baker help?

There is a need for Hygiene Kits at the Night Ministry. We are holding a Hygiene Kit Items Drive during the month of March. Please bring any of the listed items below to Baker. There is a bin in the front where you can just drop them off.

All items should be travel-sized unless otherwise noted. Items in bold are typically included as the basics and everything else is considered special.

• Shampoo

• Conditioner

• Body wash or bar soap

• Body lotion

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrush (full-sized)

• Deodorant

• Mouthwash

• Lip balm

• Comb or brush

• Disposable razor

• Shaving cream

• Wash cloth

• Tissue pack

• Bath wipes

• Rain poncho

BPO Meeting

This is a chance to socialize with other parents and hear short updates from the BPO Teams. No RSVP is needed, just drop in. We would love for you to

attend. Thank you to the 1st grade room parents for hosting!

April PM BPO Meeting

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Baker Cafeteria

Questions contact bpo@bakerdemschool.org.

Alumni Event

Friday, April 5

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Baker Library

We look forward to welcoming ALL Alumni and their Parents to our Alumni Event on April 5th from 4 - 6pm in the Baker Library. There will be plenty of time to connect with past classmates, teachers and spaces. Enter chances to win prizes and eat some delicious Soul and Smoke! We look forward to seeing you there! Link to RSVP.

Questions? Email Rachael Ross rross@bakerdemschool.org

Dine & Donate - The Fat Shallot

Dine Out & Support Baker

Sunday, April 7, 2024

The Fat Shallot

2902 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

11AM - 8PM

Live Music from 3PM - 6PM

Say "BAKER" at checkout and 10% of sales go to support our school!

Human Library at Baker - RSVP to Attend

Join a worldwide movement for social change---right here at Baker!

Sunday, April 14

1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Baker Library

On Sunday, April 14^th, The Human Library® will be returning to Baker, with a shelf of human “books” who are ready to enter into conversation with Baker students and their families. Each book represents a group in our society that is often subjected to prejudice, stigmatization or discrimination because of their lifestyle, diagnosis, belief, disability, social status, ethnic origin, etc. Human “books” are volunteers who are on loan to readers to share their personal experiences and identities. They provide insights into various perspectives. For example: what’s it like to be transracially adopted? To have a physical disability? To be asexual? The Human Library® creates a safe space for dialogue where topics are discussed openly between the human books and their readers, creating a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices. Difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered, and a discussion space will be available for Baker folks to share their learning with each other.

We are looking for a few volunteers to help make this event possible. Learn more and sign up here.

This event is sponsored by Baker Faculty & Parent EqAT Teams.

Questions? Contact Theresa Volpe at theresa.volpe.content@gmail.com or Kirsten D'Aurelio at kisuna@earthlink.net.

5K Volunteers Needed

The 2024 Annual Baker 5K event is coming up on Friday, May 24, 2024 at Gillson Park. We are so grateful to have volunteers every year to help make this wonderful all school event happen!

We are looking for volunteers for:

• Setup
• Chef/Food Prep
• Post Race Fuel Station
• Water Station
• Take Down

Please Signup Now for one of the available volunteer shifts.

Questions? Contact Rachael Ross at rross@bakerdemschool.org.

Featured FAN Event

To Tell the Truth: Race, Identity, and Healing

April 4, 2024 

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

ON ZOOM

RACHEL JAMISON WEBSTER

Author and professor of creative writing at Northwestern University

MELISSA BLOUNT, PH.D.

Artist, writer, and licensed clinical psychologist

Since the sequencing of the genome in 2003, we have known that humans share 99.9 percent of our DNA with all other humans, regardless of skin tone or nationality, indicating that race is not a biological reality as much as a legal and cultural construction. Today, thanks to sites like Ancestry.com and 23 and Me, these facts are getting personal, as Americans discover ancestries that complicate long-held family identities. What should we do when we discover a family secret? And how can our ancestral stories help to illuminate our present moment?

This conversation begins with the premise that telling the truth is essential for healing. Join Rachel Jamison Webster, Professor of Creative Writing at Northwestern University, as she shares the story of her book, Benjamin Banneker and Us: Eleven Generations of an American Family. In 2016, Webster learned about several generations of African American ancestry that had been hidden in her family. This line traced back to the sister of Benjamin Banneker—the first Black man of science. Banneker was a free man living in the Revolutionary era. He helped survey Washington D.C., he compiled and published bestselling almanacs, and he corresponded with Jefferson about the heinous injustice of slavery.

Webster’s journey led her to celebrate Banneker’s brilliance, as well as that of his parents, grandparents, and sisters, and to grapple with the ways that racism had clouded the story of her family and country. She found herself in deep relationship and collaboration with her African American cousins—fellow Banneker descendants who came together to collaborate on the book. Together they celebrated their shared ancestors, and discussed race, history, and identity with unflinching honesty.

Webster will be in conversation with Melissa Blount, Ph.D., an artist, writer, and licensed clinical psychologist practicing her craft in Evanston, IL. Her textile pieces explore notions of Black womanhood, trauma, and white supremacy in America.